MSE News: Passengers will pay less tax on long-haul flights from today

Former_MSE_Helen

The tax passengers pay on long haul flights has fallen today, although those on medium length flights will pay more...

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Passengers will pay less tax on long-haul flights from today




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Pincher

That explains a lot.


I saw loads of low prices in March to the Far East, but new York was not budging. In fact, it was cheaper to go to Hong Kong than New York for April.

jpsartre

The price difference between NYC and Hong Kong only increases by £16 with the new rules.

chattychappy

Still among the highest (if not the highest) in the world.

People often don't realise that these taxes apply to all departures from the UK, including the return leg on flights bought overseas.

The cost to my Far Eastern friends of a UK visa is double the cost of a Schengen visa (which gets them loads of countries) and then they pay much more for the flight ticket, especially when in business class.

No wonder they prefer going to mainland Europe whilst UK plc shoots itself in the foot.

nem39esis

Well I just called Qantas, My wife and daughter and I are flying to Australia end of April, queried the APD refund and their response was as my ticket was non refundable they would not be refunding the difference.

Queried where the money goes if its not going to pay for APD and got no response.

So if this is true, nobody will get any refunds for APD as most tickets are all non refundable?

Have a I been fed a load of lies?

Caz3121

The revised APD rates would have been factored into flight prices for flights from the affected date since they were announced.
As these changes were announced in the 2014 budget (19th March 2014) airlines factor in the amended rates for any flights booked to operate after 1st April 2015
I would expect that your ticket will include the correct (reduced) rate of APD for your flight...have you checked?

It would cause too much admin if they wait until the actual change happens to refund everyone, or in the case where APD increases, contacting everyone to collect the extra money

callum9999

chattychappy wrote: »

Still among the highest (if not the highest) in the world.

People often don't realise that these taxes apply to all departures from the UK, including the return leg on flights bought overseas.

The cost to my Far Eastern friends of a UK visa is double the cost of a Schengen visa (which gets them loads of countries) and then they pay much more for the flight ticket, especially when in business class.

No wonder they prefer going to mainland Europe whilst UK plc shoots itself in the foot.

If marginal taxes like that are enough to put them off then I highly doubt they would have come in the first place. There is no shortage of foreign tourists in the UK.

caseslot

I have a query about this following a reply from Thomas Cook airlines. My son will be 15 on the day we travel from Manchester to Orlando. On the flight breakdown my son paid more for his flight and less for his tax and charges than the 3 adults travelling with him.
Flight for adult = £1159.27. Tax and charges £122.96. Flight for 15 year old = £1230.27. Tax and charges= £51.96 When juggling the figures, he is paying the same price.
Today, Thomas cook airlines told me that my 15 year old is classed as an adult when traveling to America. Is this correct?

leylandsunaddict

If he's under 16 at date of travel he won't pay the APD. If you booked a flight only before 22nd November 2015 you'll have paid it, and TC are contacting all customers who are entitled to a refund. If you booked a flight only after that date you won't have been charged.

caseslot

He will be under 16 and we booked in September 15.
Yesterday Thomas Cook said he is traveling as an adult so I will not get a refund!

leylandsunaddict

caseslot wrote: »

He will be under 16 and we booked in September 15.
Yesterday Thomas Cook said he is traveling as an adult so I will not get a refund!

Did you contact the airline? If you've booked flight only and are entitled to a refund they will contact you if you booked direct. If you used an agent you would need to speak to them.